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Perak
Darul Ridzuan
Perak
Darul Ridzuan, covers an area of 21,000 square kilometres and has
a population of about two million. The state is divided into ten
districts, Batang Padang, Manjung, Kinta, Kerian, Kuala Kangsar,
Larut & Matang, Hilir Perak, Hulu Perak, Selama and Perak Tengah,
and its major towns include lpoh, Kuala Kangsar, Taiping, Teluk
Intan and Lumut. Kuala Kangsar is the royal town of Perak, while
lpoh is the administrative centre and state capital.
For centuries, Perak was renowned for its rich tin deposits. It
is believed that the state derived its name, which means silver
in Malay, from the silvery tin ore.
History of Perak Darul Ridzuan
The Perak State, in actual fact, has been in existence since the
prehistoric age. Kota Tampan in Lenggong is the one and only proof
that the Paleolithic Age existed in Malaya. The Perak State went
through numerous evolutions between 400 000 BC and 8000 BC. The
state had experienced the Hoabinhian Era and the Neolithic Age which
was proven with the findings of relevant ancient artifacts.
Historically Perak's history actually began with the installation
of Sultan Muzaffar Shah 1, who was a descendent of Sultan Mahmud
Shah of Malacca, in the year 1528. Perak became more prominent with
the discovery of tin in Larut, Taiping in 1848 by Long Jaafar. With
this discovery, Perak's economy boomed. In addition to tin ore,
natural rubber also played an important role and is still being
planted after the reign of 33 or 34 consecutive Sultans.
The British who had long been interested in Perak, intervened through
the Pangkor Treaty in 1874 after a riot in Larut. As a result of
this intervention, the Residential system was introduced with James
W.W Birch as its first Resident. Initially, the Residential system
was supposed to yield positive results. However, because it deviated
from its original cause, coupled with the natives' refusal to be
colonized led to an uprising against the Resident under the leadership
of Datuk Maharaja Lela. As a result J.W.W Birch was assassinated
in 1875. The Residential system continued until the arrival of the
Japanese to Malaya in 1941. The Perak State suffered, during the
Japanese occupation of Malaya until the year 1945. Even after the
Japanese surrendered, the British still colonized Malaya until the
year 1948. Violence was rampant then in Perak, due to Communist
terrorism. After the Japanese occupation in Malaya, the Malay States
were not stable. The British did their utmost best to maintain their
position by introducing new administration systems such as the Malayan
Union in 1946, despite the people's nationalistic spirit to seek
independence. The people of Malaya combined their efforts with all
state dignitaries to fully rebel against all British systems. They
continuously oppressed until the British granted Malaya independence
in 1957.
The independence of Malaya meant the freedom for all its Federated
States, which Perak was a part of. Rapid development in all fields
continued until today, after the reign of 34 consecutive Sultans.
Towns & Cities in Perak
Ipoh
Ipoh is the capital City of Perak. The tin mines around Ipoh are
reputedly the richest in the world. Today, Ipoh is one of Malaysia's
larger cities, with a population of about half a million people.
Kuala Kangsar
Kuala Kangsar, located 48km north of Ipoh on the Perak River, is
the royal town of Perak. It is dominated by three beautiful buildings:
Istana Iskandariah, Istana Kenangan and the Ubudiah mosque.
Taiping
Taiping succeeded Kuala Kangsar as the capital of Perak in the late
nineteenth century. The country's oldest State Museum is within
the vicinity, containing artifacts such as ancient weapons, handicrafts
and aboriginal implements.
Bukit Larut (formerly Maxwell Hill)
Bukit Larut, located just 10 km from Taiping, is Malaysia's oldest
hill station. The hill is accessible by four-wheel drive only. A
land rover is available at the foot of the hill. It leaves everyday
from 7am to 6pm. Fare: RM2.50 for adults and RM1 for children.
Lumut
85 km southwest of Ipoh is the naval base town of Lumut. Of interest
here is the Naval Museum which houses a collection of ancient weapons
and historical artifacts. Lumut is also the departure point for
Perak's internationally-known, Pulau Pangkor and Pulau Pangkor Laut.
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Places
of Interest
River Terrapin Breeding Project
Located at Bota Kanan, 40km from Ipoh, the project breeds
hatchling river terrapins, or Bataqur baska, which are then
released into the Perak River. Between November and March,
visitors can watch river terrapins lay their eggs along the
river's shore.
Ipoh Cave Temples
The countryside around Ipoh is studded with dramatic limestone
outcroppings, many of which are dotted with cave temples.
While many of the temples are of recent origin, cave paintings
dating back two millenia have been located at one site. The
most famous of the temples are Perak Tong and Sam Poh Tong.
Kuala Gula Bird Sanctuary
This coastal bird sanctuary attracts a wide variety of exotic
birds, particularly during the migratory season between August
and December. Hundreds of species of birds have been sighted
here.
Banding Resort
Midway along the East-West Highway is Temenggur Lake, formed
by the the construction of the magnificent Temenggur Dam.
Set atop an island in the lake is the Banding Resort.
Kellie's Castle
The rubber industry grew with extreme rapidity in Malaysia
at the beginning of the century, and as one would expect it
attracted all sorts of fortune-seekers. One of the most successful
of these was William Kellie Smith, a Scot who decided modestly
to mark his success by constructing a magnificent castle here
in Batu Gajah, Perak. Located about 50Km from Ipoh.
Other places of interest includes Banding Island Resort, Bukit
Larut (Maxwell Hill), D R Seenivasagam Park, Darul Ridzuan
Museum, Geological Museum, Ipoh Railway Station, Japanese
Garden, Kellie's Castle, Kuala Gula Bird Sanctuary, Lata Iskandar
Waterfalls, Lata Kinjang, Pasir Salak Historical Complex,
Perak Museum, Perak Tong, River Terrapin Breeding Project
Bota Kanan, Royal Museum, Sungkai Deer Farm, Tambun Hot Spring,
Taiping Lake Gardens, Teluk Intan Leaning Tower and Gua Tempurung.
Getting To Perak
MalaysiaAirlines has multiple daily flights
from Kuala Lumpur International Airport to the Sultan Azlan
Shah Airport in Ipoh. The North-SouthExpressway
passes through Perak with interchanges at Tamjung Malim, Behrang,
Slim river, Sungkai, Bidor, Tapah, Gopeng, Simpang Pulai,
Ipoh, Jelapang, Kuala Kangsar, Changkat Jering, Taiping, Alor
Pongsu & Bandar Baru. It is roughly a 4.5 hours drive
from Kuala Lumpur to Ipoh. PLUSLiner
and Transnasional Express operates daily Interstate Coaches
from Kuala Lumpur to Kuala Kangsar, Lumut, Ipoh & Taiping.
KTMB operates Express
Rakyat and Senandung Langkawi daily
rail service from KL Sentral.
Malaysia Hotel Dot CC, brings to you some
of the best hotel in Perak Darul Ridzwan. We present them
here comprehensively with factual information on all our participating
hotels and resorts in Perak.
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